Book rest



A. GRUMBLES BOOK REST Filed June 5, 1925 2 Sheets-heet 2 anemia PatentedMar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES ARTHUR GRUIVJIBLES, 0F FORT WORTH, TEXAS.

BOOK BEST.

Application filed June 5,

This invention relates to an improved book rest, and has reference tothe type particularly adapted for holding a book in an open positionwhile reading, to obviate the necessity of holding the same in the handas is customary.

The invention has more particular reference to a book holder, which maybe said to be convertible in that it is adaptable to be rested upon adesk, table, or the like, to support the book in an inclined readingposition, or is adapted to be propped in ones lap while reclining inbed, to permit convenient and effective holding of the book whenreading, the device being such that it supports a book at an angle toobviate leaning forwardly and downwardly too much, whereby to eliminatestiff neck, cramped muscles, eye strain, and other disadvantageousresults.

The structural details and their relative arrangement, providing a novelassociation will be taken up in order in the detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a front view of a book rest constructed in accordance withthe present invention showing the same as it appears when resting upon atable or the like.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary de' tails section of the same.

Figure 3 is also a sectional and elevation al view taken through thecentral portion of the device for showing the book leaf clamp in itsinoperative position.

Figure 4. is a view showing detachable supporting legs provided forsupporting the holder at a comparatively great elevation.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view showing the method of detachablyconnecting the supporting legs.

In the drawings, the reference character 1 designates a backing plateagainst which the book is rested, and this is preferably of a size topermit it to eflectively support the halves of the book when open forreading. Extending forwardly from the bottom of this plate is a shelf 2upon which the book is rested. From Figure 3 it will be seen that thecentral portion of the shelf is cut away to provide an opening 8 throughwhich a spring pressed book clamp d is adapted to move. The clampcomprises a 1925. Serial No. 35,172.

plate 5 having laterally extending arms 6 rotatably mounted upon a pin 7appropriately supported beneath the bottom of the shelf 2. A coiledspring is wrapped about this pin and confined between the arms and thefree end portion 8 bears against the plate 5 so as to normally hold theclamp in the position shown in Figure 3. A wire handle 9 is fastened tothe plate and serves as a means for swinging the clamp downwardly andthrough the opening to permit the book to be placed between the clampand the backing plate 1. It should be noted that the intermediateportion 10 of the handle is substantially U-shaped and constitutes astop for engaging the shelf as shown. Attention is also called to thefact that the forward edge of the shelf is rolled as at 11 to provide atubular bearing for recep tion of one of the side pieces of asubstantially rectangular supporting frame 12. The frame may be swungdown to right angular supporting position indicated in Figures 1 and 2,or may be swung beneath the shelf and out of the Way as desired.Connected to the rear side of the backing plate is diagonal dependingtube 13, in which a standard .14 telescopes, there being a suitableclamp 15 by means of which the standard is clamped in various adjustedpositions. The standard is formed with a base 16 adapted to rest on thetable or other support upon which the device is placed. It. is by meansof the frame 12, and the telescoping prop formed by the parts 13 and 141that the device may be conveniently supported upon a desk or the like.It is frequently desirable however to support the same at a littlehigher elevation, particularly when it is used by a person confined to abed. In carrying out this end I provide two pairs of attaching brackets17 on the bottom of the shelf and attach detachable legs 18 to these.The legs are each; formed from a single length of wire bent between itsends to provide a substantially triangular rest 19, the free endportions being twisted together as at 20, and then extending indivergent relation as at 21 with the extremities bent angularly andseated in the brackets 17 as shown in Figure 5. A. pair of hooks 22 areswingably mounted upon the shelf, and are adapted to engage with theapices of the triangles in order to support the legs in the positionshown in Figure 1. These hooks may also be swung to the position shownin Figure 2 for preventing forward and outward swinging of thesupporting frame 12.

In practice, the handle 9 is grasped and pulled downwardly. This swingsthe clamp 4 outwardly upon the rod 7 and provides a space therebetweenfor reception of the book. Now the book is placed against the backingplate 1, and upon the resting shelf 2. Upon releasing the handle, theclamp is swung by this spring inwardly and presses against the openleaves of the book to hold them against accidental turning. l/Vith theleaves thus held and the book in the proper inclined position, it issupported either upon a desk, table or the like, or is placed in thebed, so that invalids and persons confined to a bed may convenientlysupport the book without the use of their hands. The frame 12 and hooks22. may be used if desired, or the frame may be swung out of the way,and the legs 18 attached as shown in Figure 5, and used. Circumstanceswill regulate the use of these convertible supporting devices. Wheneverit is desired to turn a leaf, the handle is simply pressed downwardly toswing the clamp through the opening 3 in the shelf so that it literallydisappears and swings out of the path of movement of the leaf to beturned.

No doubt, a careful considerationof the description in connection withthe drawings will enable persons skilled in the art to which theinvention relates to obtain a clear understanding of the same.Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the'preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within thespirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims may beresorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. A book rest comprising a backing plate, aright-angular shelf carried thereby, said rolled to provide a bearinshelf being provided with an opening, a rod supported on the under sideof the shelf and located beneath said opening, a substantially U-shapedclamping member, the arms of said member extending downwardly throughsaid opening and being pivotally mounted upon said rods, a spring coiledaround said rod and having one end bearing against the bight portion ofthe U-shaped member for maintaining it in a predetermined position, anda handle connected with the intermediate portion of the U-shaped member,said handle extending downwardly through said opening and terminating inan upwardly projecting hand-grip, whereby to limit the movement of theU-shaped member in one direction and permit it to be pulled downwail'illy through said opening and below said s e 2. A book restcomprising a backing plate, a right-angular shelf carried thereby, saidshelf being provided with an opening, a rod supported on the under sideof the shelf and located beneath said opening, a substantially U-shapedclamping member, the arms of said member extending downwardly throughsaid opening and being pivotally mounted upon said rods, a spring coiledaround said rod and having one end bearing against the bight portion ofthe U-shaped member for maintaining it in a predetermined position, anda handle connected with the intermediate portion of the U-shaped member,said handle extending downwardly through said opening and terminating inan upwardly projecting hand-grip, whereby to limit the movement of theU-shaped member in onedirection and permit it to be pulled downwardlythrough said opening and below said shelf, said shelf having its freeouter edge a substantially rectangular wire supporting frame having bothside portions journaled for rotation in said bearing, and an adjustableprop carried by said backing plate.

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature,

ARTHUR GRUMBLES.

